Usually it only happens during a thunderstorm, but sometimes it happens due to extreme heat or during a snowstorm. Does anybody else know why that is?
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[__ Science __ ] Thunder
- Thread starter HeIsRisen2018
- Start date
Jim Parker
Member
Thunder is the result of lightning.
When there is a lightning discharge, the air is heated to a plasma state due to the enormous release of energy. That comes with a lot of noise.
The way I understand it, the thunder we hear, described by Jim Parker, is actually a sonic boom similar to when a jet breaks the sound barrier. The lightning heats up the air causing it to expand so fast it creates the sonic boom. The lightning itself is the result of built up static electric charge within the upper atmosphere as air currents flow past each other....I think.
That friction you speak of is the rubbing that I mentioned that causes the build-up of static charge. Eventually, it builds so high that it discharges and that is the lightning you see.Sounds about right except for the fact that a lot of thunder is also caused when two clouds hit each other (like in a thunderstorm) and I do believe that the friction causes the lightning strike. Of course I'm not a hundred percent certain on that one.
Don't know where you live but here in MN, during the winter when relative humidity drops to very low levels, if one walks stockingfooted across a carpet while dragging his/her feet, a static charge can build up in our bodies. Then, when touching something grounded to earth, such as a grounded metal object or other person you will feel a shock and if you look closely you can actually see the spark. That is lightning at a low voltage level.
It takes approximately 100,000 volts to jump a 1/4" gap. So when you see that little static spark that is maybe 1/16" long, you are witnessing about 25,000 volts jumping the gap. Now imagine what a lightning strike is when it jumps from the clouds to the earth, which could be thousands of feet. Yes, we're talking about millions of volts and that's why it can cause explosions and fire and split trees and shatter brick chimneys, and so forth.
When I was a child we had a lot of fun with static charge. One of my six siblings would be laying on the living room floor maybe watching a television program and I'd come along after building up a high static charge and just touch their earlobe. It was fun but of course there is Karma.
Razeontherock
Member
To be scientific about it, clouds don't "bump." If you've ever been in fog, you've been in a cloud; there's nothing to bump.
The friction that's created is part of why we send airplanes into storms, to study them in hopes of understanding all this better.
It's amazing how much we still don't really know. Many things are observable, including that thundersnow is pretty rare.
Our continent gets more extreme weather (like tornadoes) than others, as I understand it. The Rockies, then the great plains, then the great lakes region, in that order as our weather patterns usually encounter things, creates some unique circumstances.
I've been very close to an unusual form of lightning, perhaps St Elmo's fire. I could smell it, and see the reflection in a very old car that had a very dull finish. While I was carrying a 12' long metal mast!
The friction that's created is part of why we send airplanes into storms, to study them in hopes of understanding all this better.
It's amazing how much we still don't really know. Many things are observable, including that thundersnow is pretty rare.
Our continent gets more extreme weather (like tornadoes) than others, as I understand it. The Rockies, then the great plains, then the great lakes region, in that order as our weather patterns usually encounter things, creates some unique circumstances.
I've been very close to an unusual form of lightning, perhaps St Elmo's fire. I could smell it, and see the reflection in a very old car that had a very dull finish. While I was carrying a 12' long metal mast!
JohnDB
Member
Electrostatic generators are rather simple and easy to build. They can be a lot of fun.
Watching someone's hair stand on end no matter how long it is.... really cool.
The discharges are kinda painful though.
Static discharges and electronics do not mix well. The high voltage seems to fry the microscopic thin insulation used on PC boards. An amplifier is the size of a grain of rice. Not good when it fries. Lots of the guys who work on electronics ground their clothes and themselves to the floor by various means....kinda necessary.
Look at the grounding radio towers have. The objective is hiding them from the lightning. Deep and overkill. Usually they will have chemical grounds.
Power lines have an attractant for the lightning. That's why the neutral is on top of the hot lines.
Watching someone's hair stand on end no matter how long it is.... really cool.
The discharges are kinda painful though.
Static discharges and electronics do not mix well. The high voltage seems to fry the microscopic thin insulation used on PC boards. An amplifier is the size of a grain of rice. Not good when it fries. Lots of the guys who work on electronics ground their clothes and themselves to the floor by various means....kinda necessary.
Look at the grounding radio towers have. The objective is hiding them from the lightning. Deep and overkill. Usually they will have chemical grounds.
Power lines have an attractant for the lightning. That's why the neutral is on top of the hot lines.
I've often wondered why that was.
Barbarian
Member
The lightning comes from masses of air rushing past each other. Builds up massive static electricity, which then jumps (normally from mass to mass, but sometimes to the ground) which heats the air enough to ionize it. The sudden expansion produces thunder.
Notice, clouds are not necessary for thunder and lightning, although rain clouds are usually the source. The massive updraft of dense, vapor-laden air produces more energy.
Notice, clouds are not necessary for thunder and lightning, although rain clouds are usually the source. The massive updraft of dense, vapor-laden air produces more energy.
Barbarian
Member
This is the most secure way:
You'll usually be O.K. if you touch a heavy metal object from time to time as you work. But I have a cuff somwhat like this that I use if I'm working with something important. I don't bother with it if I'm rigging solar yard lights or whatever.
JohnDB
Member
Risking a static discharge on a $2.00 pc board is one thing... taking the same risk with a $200-$2000 board is another.This is the most secure way:
You'll usually be O.K. if you touch a heavy metal object from time to time as you work. But I have a cuff somwhat like this that I use if I'm working with something important. I don't bother with it if I'm rigging solar yard lights or whatever.
But sometimes I have seen service guys do just that.
Usually followed by the statement " Huh? I don't understand what's going on. I just replaced that board. It should be working. They probably sent me a bad board or something"
Meanwhile I am silently listening to their rant while in judgement of their stupidity.
Barbarian
Member
Razeontherock
Member
I took 220 full on. You could hear me over a mile away. In a severe thunderstorm, lol.
I was lucky it knocked me back, instead of "glueing" me to the breaker box I had to switch on.
Razeontherock
Member
Actually lightning that strikes the ground starts at the ground and goes up to the clouds. I find that pretty interesting.
That would not have been a static discharge. In fact, I doubt you would even feel or detect a 220v static discharge. What you felt was current electricity which, unless the source is blocked (opened), will continue to flow indefinitely.
Razeontherock
Member
Yup, I definitely felt the current! You're probably aware of people convulsing as they stay glued to the current in exactly that situation and meeting a gruesome demise.
As I understand it the best thing to do is hit them with your full body, to knock them out of the circuit.
Maybe an Angel did that for me
As I understand it the best thing to do is hit them with your full body, to knock them out of the circuit.
Maybe an Angel did that for me